Kaara dashed as fast as she could. There was still a numb prickle of pain in her legs, but for the most part her wounds had sealed up thanks to her healing magic. She thought about the bat drake Tadios rode in on, the way he had been fighting, the trap Tulos had set. It was all so well calculated.
There was a high chance Tulos was the one behind the plans, but Kaara knew him to be more of a trickster than a tactician. Someone had been watching all of them very closely. It was like they knew Tulos’s skillset could perfectly counter Rorik’s high perception, and that Arik would not target Tadios’s horns during a one on one fight.
What had initially seemed like a complete stomp between the two teams to Kaara was no a lot more interesting and fun. She grinned, realizing what had been missing this year from the war games: a proper fight.
She spotted Deka’s group in the distance and called out, “Hey! Over here!”
“Kaara. Good for you to join us,” Deka said, “Where are Fealux and the others?”
“We were ambushed by Sancta, Tulos, and Tadios on our way here. Fealux managed to chase Tulos off, but Sancta got her. I avenged it, though, so Sancta is out.”
“I see, so Fealux has failed me too. What of Tulos and Tadios? Where are they now?”
“Tadios is taking Sancta to the medic tent, and I don’t know where Tulos has gone, but they were using a bat drake to ride around. They said something about ‘rejoining the others’.”
Deka’s eyes hardened, “Looks like he rejoined the captains of the Tibur’s team. Change of plans, then. We know where Tadios is now, and he’s been picking off our captains one by one in dishonorable ambushes alongside a couple of rogue Xirxus. We move to take him out together and put an end to the Tibur’s final thrashing attempt at victory.”
Kaara looked over at the rest who were present. Anitus and Amaro stood nearby as Vilka scanned their surroundings. Along with them were various noble children Kaara did not recognize acting as guards and lookouts.
“My prince, if I may be so bold,” Vilka chimed in, “Perhaps it is best to target their other captains? They may expect us to go after Tadios and spring another ambush.”
“You are being too bold, Vilka. Know your place. Even if they spring another ambush so long as we get rid of their trump card their team has nothing to threaten us with.”
Vilka bowed her head, “My apologies.”
“The captains are cowardly, and cannot be led into a direct confrontation. The last few weeks have proven that they know to run directly to Tadios whenever things get difficult. We isolate Tadios and take him out. Or, better yet, I will deal with him personally while the rest of you guard from any would-be ambushers.”
“Such a shame, and I really wanted to challenge the barbarian too,” Anitus said, “Especially now that he’s proven he’s the strongest the Tibur have to offer.”
“You will have to set your personal endeavors aside for the good of our team. His horns belong to me. Now let’s move.”
The group began their march towards Tadios. The sun was already starting to go down. By the time they arrived at the tent it would likely be dark. Kaara always found it strange how short the days were during winter. It was likely the reason Malaki preferred this season so much. She wrapped her leg in a cast of water to dull the lingering pain while she walked. She hung back to walk next to Amaro, “Thanks for the sweets by the way,” She said.
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Amaro perked up, “Oh? Did you like them? Do they taste alright?”
“I haven’t tasted them yet. I wanted to wait for the gift-giving ceremony to open it, though.”
“I see.”
“But when I do, we can share, alright?”
“Oh, of course! I would love that.” He cleared his throat, “How are you feeling? I’m surprised you’re awake and still able to cast magic. Let alone defeat my sister.”
“I’m surprised too, honestly. Shiira said I got lucky, but I heard you helped out.”
Amaro puffed out his chest, “I did. I think I may have accidentally shielded your soul with Ux. At least that’s what I could glean from what Shiira told me. I’m glad it's helped you recover so quickly.”
“About that. What do you know about the person who was there before you? Did you ever find them?”
Amaro shook his head, “No one who would admit to it. I’m still searching. Although, I’ve ruled out the possibility that it was a noble who assailed you.”
“Oh- that’s right- you don’t know this but-”
Before Kaara could finish her sentence, one of the young nobles on the outer edge of their party was snapped up by a metal snare.
“Ambush!” one of them yelled out, “Defend the prince!”
“Such a big, slow moving group you’ve got!” A voice called from above them. Kaara looked up to see Tulos grinning ear to ear, “Sons of the rebellion, now is your chance! If you seek to reclaim your lost dignity, then fight here and now! Or we shall cut your horns just as we did with so many of your captains.”
Chaos.
Nobility turned on itself as the Tibur surrounded them. A melee of clashing weapons, magic, and bone rang out around them.
Deka sent a burst of lightning at Tulos, only for it to curve off to the side and connect to a metal rod buried in a nearby branch.
Tulos wagged his finger, “tut tut, Deka! Have you forgotten who my eldest brother is? He could have told you that wouldn’t work on me!”
“I know what will work on you, though!” Amaro shouted, nodding to Anitus as they both launched forward. They split off, leaping from branch to branch towards Tulos.
“Well, telegraphing your plan isn’t going to help you, is it?” Tulos said as a strong wind sent them both crashing down into the snow.
Corvio and the winged Noxa stepped out into the open, working together to summon a crushing wind on the two.
“What a shame you did not join our side, Tulos” Deka said with an unnatural calm in his voice, “I could have used a good tactician like you on my side.”
“It’s a shame that redheads aren’t my type.” Tulos shrugged, tongue in cheek, “Aqua Team!”
A squad of ice elementals charged through the lines sending bodies flying.
Deka laughed, “Truly a worthy tactician, I can only imagine what you might have done with a proper force behind you!” His eyes hardened, “But I think it’s time to show you that no amount of tactics was going to secure your victory. Vilka?”
“Yes, my prince?”
“No more holding back. Deal with the rebellion.”
She bowed her head, “It will be done.”
“Amaro, Anitus, I will leave your brother to you. Take the horns of anyone who gets in your way!”
“For once that’s an order I can agree to,” Amaro said, standing against the crushing winds and unsheathing his katana.
“And Kaara?”
Kaara felt excitement boiling in her gut, it felt like a real fight now, “Yeah?”
“I think it’s time you show those ice elementals who their natural predator is.”
She grinned, raising her palms to the sky, “Chompy! Come on out!”